DeBeers

DeBeers is the worlds largest diamond supplier, operating 50% of the mines in the world, and purchasing 80% of all diamonds sold on the open market.

It has mines in Botswana, Namibia, Canada, Russia, and Tanzania. The company is owned by South African resources giant Anglo American (45%), the Oppenheimer family (40%) and the Government of Botswana (15%).

Lobbying
The company spent $140,000 for lobbying in the U.S. in 2007 through the lobbying firm The Duberstein Group.

Personnel

 * Nicholas F. (Nicky) Oppenheimer, Chairman
 * Jonathan M. E. Oppenheimer, Executive Director, De Beers s.a.
 * Gareth P. H. Penny, Managing Director, De Beers Group and Director

Directors Accessed November 2007:


 * Mark Berry
 * Stuart Brown
 * Cynthia Carroll
 * Robin Crawford
 * David de Rothschild
 * Joseph IIta
 * Chips Keswick
 * Rene Medori
 * Anthony Oppenheimer
 * Gary Ralfe
 * Julian Ogilvie Thompson
 * Akolang Tombale
 * Serwalo Tumelo

Contact info
Private Bag X01, Southdale Johannesburg, 2135, South Africa Phone: +27-11-374-7000 Fax: +27-11-374-7700 Web: http://www.debeersgroup.com

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Africa Foundation
 * Blood Diamond (Film)
 * Conflict Diamonds
 * Debswana
 * Defence Systems Limited
 * Executive Outcomes
 * Hill & Knowlton
 * MS&L
 * DeBeers Canada

External articles

 * "De Beers pleads guilty in price fixing case", MSNBC, July 13, 2004.
 * Sarah Robertson, "MS&L helps DTC with â??integrityâ?? campaign", PR Week, May 13, 2005. (Sub req'd).
 * "Diamond Giant De Beers Opens First U.S. Store Amid Protests Over Eviction of Bushmen in Botswana", Democracy Now!, June 23, 2005.
 * "Judge Approves De Beers Diamond Pricing Settlement", ConsumerAffairs.com, June 1, 2008.
 * Laurie Flynn, "Namibia: Exposing The Corrupt Practices Of The De Beers Diamond Cartel", Znet, June 12, 2008.
 * Janine Roberts, Glitter and Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel (Disinformation, 2007). (Great background on De Beer's and Maurice.)

External resources

 * Website, Kimberley Process, accessed June 2008.